Saturday, December 01, 2012

Mets Pelfrey, Torres, Acosta have been non-tendered

Mike Pelfrey, the Mets ninth overall pick in the 2005 draft, has been non-tendered by the New York Mets and expects to pitch elsewhere next season.

Pelfrey made three starts this past season before undergoing May 1 Tommy John surgery. He already has thrown a 105-pitch session this week at his alma mater, Wichita State, including 60 pitches to hitters, and expects to easily be ready for next season.

Pelfrey made $5.6875 million in 2012. He had been eligible for arbitration for a final time this offseason.

Center fielder Andres Torres ($2.7 million salary in 2012) and right-hander Manny Acosta ($875,000) also have been non-tendered tonight. Torres arrived last offseason with reliever Ramon Ramirez from the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Angel Pagan in an ill-fated swap.

Arbitration-eligible players who are tendered contracts by the midnight deadline must receive at least 80 percent of their previous year’s salaries, and rarely receive any reduction. By cutting Pelfrey loose, the Mets are free to sign him for any amount.